Legal basis for levying renewal fees

Art. 61, 103 PA

Enquiries re renewal fees and validity:

Tel. (+ 31 70) 398 66 99

Fax (+ 31 70) 398 66 06

1 Amount of fees

plus any charges levied by banks

Art. 6(7) PR

2 (a) Due date (in the patent year concerned) (b) Time limit for payment (without surcharge)*

(a) last day of the month in which the date of filing occurred

For patents granted as from 1 April 1995 fees are due only as from the fifth year after the date of filing.

Art. 61(1), (2) PA

Patents granted before 1 April 1995 shall be governed exclusively by the provisions of the 1987 Act.

Art. 103 PA

Important: for the first patent year in respect of which a national renewal fee is due the amount payable is EUR 242, for the second patent year EUR 279, etc.

(b) N/A

* For first renewal fee to be paid, see Art. 141(2) EPC.

3 Period of grace for payment of fees (with surcharge) (a) duration (b) surcharge

(a) 6 months from due date

(b)

Art. 62 PA

Art. 6(8) PR

4 Communication of a reminder in cases of non-payment (a) provided for (b) date of despatch

(a) Yes

(b) every month during the period of grace under column 3

5 Restitutio in integrum (a) provided for (b) time limit for submitting application

(a) Yes

(b) as soon as possible, but not later than 1 year after expiry of non-observed time limit

Art. 23 PA

6 Appointment of a national professional representative for (a) payment of fees (b) communication of a reminder of non-payment (c) proceedings in respect of restitutio in integrum

(a) and (b) No

(c) Yes

Art. 23(3) PA

7 Information regarding lapse of patent in cases of non-payment of renewal fees

Entry in Register of Patents

Publication in "De Industriële Eigendom"

Art. 20, 62 PA